A New Zealand network operator will install a grid-scale battery from S&C Electric as part of a pilot programme.

The utility has integrated battery energy storage systems into California’s electricity market CAISO for the first time.

Lithium-ion energy storage manufacturer Leclanché saw revenue of around CHF28 million (US$28.89 million) through H1 2016, up 65% year-on-year, according to the firm’s interim results for the half year ending 30 June 2016.

Energy storage software and integration specialist Greensmith Energy will partner power firm E.ON Climate and Renewables and the utility Tucson Electric Power (TEP) to provide software control for a utility-scale energy storage system next to a solar array in Arizona.

Energy storage developers have an opportunity to prove the benefits of storage systems compared to fossil fuel technologies in what will be one of the fastest energy storage procurements in history pending in California, according to industry commentators and analysts.

Moves by the US’ Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to assess electricity storage’s potential role in wholesale markets and in maintaining a low-cost, reliable network have been welcomed by the Washington-headquartered Energy Storage Association.

ABB has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Chennai-based engineering and research organisation, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) to partner on building microgrids and develop R&D in the battery energy storage area.

French manufacturer Leclanche will supply battery storage systems to a 13MW capacity storage project with 53MWh of storage duration in Ontario to be used for voltage control and in providing reactive power support to the grid.

Placing a battery onto the grid is an economic investment. Matthew Hunt from the UK’s Chargesync discusses strategies for extracting the maximum value from devices and systems through optimising performance.